Health Care Fund Manager

OWENS, Edward P.

Edward Paul Owens, age 76, of Norwell, died on Sunday, November 27, 2022, following complications from open heart surgery. He was the cherished husband of Linda Bullock Owens for nearly 44 years and beloved father of John Edward “Jay” Owens.

Born in Norfolk, Virginia, Ed was the eldest son of the late John Hildebert Owens Jr. and the late Mary Holtz Owens. A graduate of Norfolk Catholic High School and the University of Virginia with a BS in Physics, he served as an officer aboard the submarine USS Benjamin Franklin during the Vietnam War. Following four years in the Navy, he earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.

In 1974, Ed joined Wellington Management Company as a financial analyst covering the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. He managed Vanguard Health Care Fund from its inception in 1984 until his retirement in 2012, providing his clients a 16.4% annualized return. Wellington’s high integrity, client-first philosophy attracted exceptional people with whom he felt fortunate to share his days.

Following his 38-year career at Wellington, Ed served on the board of three health care companies, including Ironwood Pharmaceuticals.

A strategic thinker, Ed possessed an insatiable curiosity that drove a strong work ethic and set an example for those around him. Science, history, and the value of education were of foremost importance to him; he always had a book, journal or annual report close at hand. On weekends, he could often be found mowing the lawn on his tractor and spent many years coaching, managing and supporting his son’s soccer teams. He was a collegiate wrestler as well as a lifelong golfer, first with his father and brothers, then as a member of Old Sandwich Golf Club. In his later years, from atop his favorite perch, he enjoyed observing the boats and seabirds on Buzzards Bay.

Ed will be remembered not only for his clear-eyed perspective, quiet wisdom and wry sense of humor, but also for the way in which he embodied one of his favorite maxims: “think deeply, listen much, say little.”

In addition to Linda and Jay; he leaves behind his brothers, John H. “Jack” Owens III and Richard J. Owens; as well as ten nieces and nephews.

In accordance with Ed’s wishes, no funeral or memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to support research at UVA’s School of Medicine. Checks can be made payable to “UVA Health Foundation, noting, School of Medicine Research Support Fund (14583), in the memo line, with a note that the gift is in memory of Ed Owens, and mailed to:

UVA Health

P.O. Box 37963

Boone, Iowa 50037

To give online, visit https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/20649/ donations/new and search for, “SOM Research Support 14583,” in the designations field. Please list Ed Owens in the “in memory” field.